Three schoolboys arrested over canal attacks

Three teenage schoolboys have been arrested after sickening attacks on a Wolverhampton towpath saw six victims pushed into the water.

A 13, 14 and 15-year-old have been released on police bail on suspicion of assault following an investigation by officers into ‘brazen acts of malice’.

The first attack on September 12 saw a 40-year-old cyclist being shoved in the shoulder, causing him to fall into the Birmingham Canal near Gorsebrook Road in Whitmore Reans.

An hour later a 51-year-old man was pushed off his bike into the water. He suffered a shattered kneecap, which needed surgery, and other superficial injuries.

On September 13 four people aged 72, 71, 33 and 61 were attacked and their injuries ranged from cuts on the leg, to cracked ribs. The 33-year-old was also racially abused.Despite police increasing patrols, three further attacks took place on September 14 and 19 with men aged 49, 62 and 72 all falling victim to canal thugs.The 72-year-old was pushed into the water but the other two victims fought back.

Police made extensive enquiries with nearby schools and swooped on three addresses on Friday afternoon. The bailed teenagers have been barred from going anywhere near the canal network.

PC Joe Trusselle, based at Whitmore Reans police station, said: “These attacks have quite understandably shocked and disgusted the local community as well as the officers working on the case.

“Never in all my time in the police have I seen such brazen acts of malice on completely innocent members of the public, for seemingly no other reason than getting a sickening personal kick.

‘‘Those responsible clearly have no regard for their victims and no remorse for their actions, committing the same offence over and over again, day after day.”